Grassroots Small Sided Games Soccer

Small Sided Games

“Cultivating Awareness” How will this program be implemented implemented? ? Once fully endorsed by the CSA and its Provincial partners the program will be delivered in seven (7) stage process to long term player development; Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Stage Four Stage Five Stage Six Stage Seven

Active Start U4 to U6 FUNdamentals U6 to U8 Learn to Train U8 to U11 Train to Train U12 to U16 Training to Compete U16 to U20 Training to Win U19 + Active for Life

GRASSROOTS

GRASSROOTS Football will be investing £700m with key Partners over the next 6 years.

CDN $ 1,505,976,217.19

GRASSROOTS

GRASSROOTS Small Sided Games or Mini Soccer is any game played with less than eleven players per side. Eleven-a-side soccer is an adult game devised by and for adults to enjoy. In British Columbia U12 and younger play Small Sided Games.

GRASSROOTS

The objective of small-sided games is to apply a staircase approach for young players to grow into the adult game of 11 versus 11

GRASSROOTS

U6 3v3

U7 / U8 4v4

U9 / U10 7v7

U11 / U12 8v8

U13 11 v 11

GRASSROOTS  Small side games offer many positive challenges that foster player development  These include; 

The opportunity to repeatedly touch the ball

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Technical and tactical challenges are repeatedly experienced The ability to actively participate is fun

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GRASSROOTS  Small side games offer many positive challenges that foster player development 

These include; Players develop when they enjoy themselves When players enjoy themselves, they remain consumers of the game Player retention should be the number one priority of all youth coaches

GRASSROOTS 

It challenges players from a point of view where they can participate in all areas of the game i.e. attacking and defending

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Tactical awareness from a positioning point of view is easier communicated

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The game is not as complicated as the adult 11 v 11 and easier to understand.

GRASSROOTS Simple vs. Complex o Lines of interaction are the possible passing combinations and or 1 v 1 encounters between players o By adding additional players to the field of play the level of complexity of the game increases

GRASSROOTS Lines of Interaction Example

6 Lines of Interaction

GRASSROOTS Lines of Interaction 2-players 3-players 4-players 5-players 6-players 7-players 8-players 9-players

2 6 12 20 30 42 56 72

10-players 11-players 12-players 13-players 14-players 16-players 18-players 20-players 22-players

90 110 132 156 182 240 306 380 462

462 Lines of Interaction

GRASSROOTS Section of 10 minute periods Number of Touches

14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

4v4 23m x 33m

6v6 Half Field

8v8 Half field 9v9 3/4 field

11 v 11 Full field

GRASSROOTS Post September 2007 Field sizes Age Group

Min Width

Max Width

Min Length

Max Length

Under 6

18 Meters

22 Meters

25 Meters

30 Meters

Under 7/8

20 Meters

25 Meters

30 Meters

36 Meters

Under 9/10

30 Meters

36 Meters

40 Meters

55 Meters

Under 11/12 42 Meters

55 Meters

60 Meters

75 Meters

GRASSROOTS Field markings It is permissible for the external and internal field markings to be coned with WOZ markers. Not triangles. Goals Age Group

Goal Length

Goal Height

Option

Under 6

8 feet / 2.438

5 feet / 1.524

Anything smaller

Under 7/8

8 feet / 2.438

5 feet / 1.524

Anything smaller

Under 9/10

12 feet / 3.657

6.5 feet / 1.981

None

Under 11/12

18 feet / 5.486

6.5 feet / 1.981

None

Option - goals can be in the form of portable goals, pug-goals, “witches hat cones” or woz markers. Both goal however must be the  same size.

GRASSROOTS The Ball Age Group Ball Size

Under 6

Under 7/8

Under 9/10

Under 11/12

3

3

3 or 4

4

Under 7/8

Under 9/10

Under 11/12

Duration of the game Age Group Duration

Under 6

2 x 15 Minutes 2 x 15 Minutes 2 x 25 Minutes 2 x 30 Minutes

GRASSROOTS Number of players Age Group Game Format

Under 6

Under 7/8

Under 9/10

Under 11/12

3v3 No Goalkeeper

4v4 Including Goalkeeper

7v7 Including Goalkeeper

8v8 Including Goalkeeper

If the recommended goal size is used a goalkeeper must be added.

GRASSROOTS Squad Sizes Age Group Format Minimum Maximum

Under 6 3v3

Under 7/8 4v4

Under 9/10 7v7

Under 11/12 8v8

8 12

8 12

11 14

12 16

GRASSROOTS Free kicks All free are indirect No offside Rule Offside is introduced in the attacking third at 8 v 8 Throw in’s At Under 6 the indirect kick-in will replace the throw-in

GRASSROOTS Winning vs. Player Development

Do they want to gradually introduce the players to the complexity of soccer, using age-specific methods and focusing on the Do the want to attempt player’s to leadlong theirterm teams goals? to victory in the short term, Before youth coaches start coaching they have to make a decision at any cost? If a club or coach is only interested in winning, player development suffers

GRASSROOTS Objective – To Win There is little to no room for the less skilled or underdeveloped players. Objective – To Promote Development Everyone has the right to play and develop, regardless of physique and ability.

GRASSROOTS Objective – To Win Tactics are overemphasized – starting at the age of 8 years old. Objective – To Promote Development Games highlight players’ skills and allows them to gain tactical experience gradually as they develop and grow older.

GRASSROOTS Objective – To Win Players tend to rely on long passes Play faster than their ability causing rush soccer. The goalkeeper clears the ball by long kicking Objective – To Promote Development All players touch the ball, they tend to attempt short passes and dribbling runs. The goalkeeper usually throws the ball in order to build up play from the back.

GRASSROOTS Objective – To Win Little thought is given to building from the attack. Usually the ball goes directly to the forwards via long passes instead of passing through the defence and midfield. Objective – To Promote Development The ball generally advances from defenders through the midfield, with the game based on communication and cooperation.

GRASSROOTS Objective – To Win When attacking there are very few change of direction opportunities. Objective – To Promote Development The point of attack is changes frequently, quickly and with an eye towards creating space for penetration.

GRASSROOTS Objective – To Win Physical size and physical training are overemphasized, because these factors generate results (WINS) more quickly. Objective – To Promote Development Through exposure to a variety of activities during each training session, players develop coordination, balance and the ability to play under different conditions.